Meditation retreat put on hold

PLANS for a Buddhist meditation retreat at Tullera have been put on hold with the council deferring the development application until considerable changes are made to accommodate concerns about conflict with existing agricultural activities on surrounding properties.

The DA before Council was for 10 guest accommodation buildings, seven amenities buildings, accommodation for the monks, an office/dining hall, meditation hall, stupa, car parking for 30 vehicles and other associated infrastructure.

Cr Graham Meineke put forward an amendment calling for 80-metre wide buffer zones with all neighbouring properties, buildings to be relocated to the south of the perimeter road (further from neighbours) and a comprehensive plan of management.

Cr Meineke said the facility would attract visitors from all over the world.

The applicant, Venerable Pannyavaro, told The Echo he was confident the project would still go ahead.